Mr. Jerry Isaya Goodwin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 90 years old; the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Jerry was born at home on February 2, 1922, in Flushing Heights, N.Y., to Irving and Elizabeth Brody Goodwin. He was married to his sweetheart, Merilyn for 68 years. Jerry was a World War II veteran. He told one of his grandsons: "I decided that it was my duty as a good American to join the service and help our country win the war." He joined the US Coast Guard and served his country from September, 1942 to December, 1945, first on a converted whaler and then on the LST 829. His ship was the first to land American troops on the Ryukyu Islands. This was where he was when he received word that his first child, Sandra, was born. Jerry loved people and made friends wherever he went. He had a knack for remembering names and faces. He was an automobile dealer which suited his personality well. He is well known as the man who said, "Be nice." An avid sports fan, Jerry loved to play golf and attended thousands of Angel games. He and his wife, Merilyn, were supporters of Cal State University Fullerton's athletic programs as well as the theatre and performing arts programs where they set up the Merilyn and Jerry Goodwin Musical Theatre Scholarship. Jerry served the community in many capacities. As a Rotarian, he served as president of the Fullerton South Rotary Club. The State of California Senate presented him with a Certificate of Recognition where he was named a "Forever Lifetime Rotary South Member." He was also a member of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce and of the National Automobile Dealers Association where he received the coveted regional Time Magazine Dealer of the Year award. For years, Jerry served families as a faithful Home Teacher in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jerry and Merilyn's love of traveling took them to more than 70 countries. Jerry lived a full life and accomplished much. But the greatest joy of his life was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Merilyn Cartwright Goodwin; son, David Paul Goodwin of Hayden, Idaho; a daughter, Nanette Zastrow, of Riverton, Utah; four granddaughters; 14 grandsons; and 35 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Sandra Louise Goodwin; son, Ronald Jerry Goodwin; great-granddaughter, Sydney Ann Goodwin; parents, Irving and Elizabeth Goodwin; brothers, Robert Francis Goodwin and Donald Ira Goodwin; and sister, Roslyn Goodwin. Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 1, 2012. Interment was at the Forest Lawn Mausoleum in Cathedral City, Calif. What's the word? "Nice!"
